Chris Johnson says he won't play for current salary
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of only six NFL players to have rushed for over 2,000 yards while setting the NFL single-season record for yards from scrimmage (2,509).
But Johnson is upset (despite recently saying, “I like my team. I’m not mad,’’) about the Titans' reluctance to rework his contract and has threatened to hold out of training camp, which begins on July 31st.
Johnson, who was the team's first-round pick in 2008, has three years left on his five-year contract and he's due to earn only $550,000 in 2010.
“I can’t play for $550,000,’’ Johnson said, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the starting 11 (on offense) and I’m one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.’’
“I think Chris is willing to take it as far as he needs to take it,” [former backfield mate LenDale] White said. “I can’t get inside his mind and say how long he’ll hold out, but obviously he is serious about this. This is his livelihood. He has to look out for himself. Believe me, he loves the Titans and the city of Nashville, but he is looking for his livelihood and his life. No one can be mad about that.’’
Johnson has clearly outplayed his contract. Yet the team hasn't budged, according to Wyatt.
In 31 career games over two NFL seasons, Johnson has 3,997 yards from scrimmage (3,234 rushing and 763 receiving) and he has scored 26 touchdowns.
